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Ray Allen, Heat to open NBA season vs. Celtics

Ray Allen signed for the Heat this summer, and will face his former team in the first game of the new NBA season (Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)

The 2012-2013 NBA season schedule isn't due for release until later this week, but one marquee matchup is already known. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinelreports that the Heat will open their title defense against none other than the Boston Celtics - Heat guard Ray Allen's former team.

Thickening the plot, the Heat will receive their championship rings and a banner-hanging ceremony will take place before the game - both to celebrate a title won after the Heat defeated Allen and the Celtics in a seven-game Eastern Conference Finals series.

The Sun-Sentinel report also states that the Heat's first rematch with their Finals opponents the Oklahoma City Thunder will take place on Christmas Day.